Look, Up In The Sky ... It's Our Cleanup Hitter!

This photo, from yesterday's USA Today, features several Colorado Rockies players — including Matt Holliday, our official fantasy baseball find — looking up toward the heavens, saluting the real reason for their surprising play this year: God. (That seems like a good place to look, anyway.) No, seriously: The Rockies are running a faith-based business over there this year, banning Playboy and loud vulgar music from the clubhouse this year as they strive to field a team that embraces "a Christian-based code of conduct they believe will bring them focus and success."

The team's CEO and chairman says that "I believe God sends signs, and we're seeing those," which is good, because those godless heathens in the Royals clubhouse are finally receiving the rain of fire and brimstone that they obviously deserve. Meanwhile, some former Rockies say the new rules are a bit strange.

"Look, I pray every day," former Rockie Mark Sweeney says. "I have faith. It's always been part of my life. But I don't want something forced on me. Do they really have to check to see whether I have a Playboy in my locker?"

When you read the story, though, it's clear that reporter Bob Nightengale, anyway, at least somewhat credits the Rockies' success this year with their collective faith. Still ... why they gotta pick on Playboy?

Rockies Seek Revival On Two Levels [USA Today]

(UPDATE: Turns out the team is less than pleased by this story. For the record, we have no problem with those who put their faith in Jesus. Far from it. To be clear. That's clear, right?)